SINGAPORE — Rising local shuttler Yeo Jia Min achieved a double victory as well as a personal double feat at the Badminton Asia Under-17 and Under-15 Championships in Kudus, Indonesia, this afternoon (Oct 11).

The 16-year-old Singapore Sports School (SSP) student not only captured the Girls U-17 singles title when she defeated Indonesia’s Sri Fatmawate 21-15, 21-13 in a 45-minute encounter but also combined with SSP schoolmate Crystal Wong to beat Japanese duo Saito Natsu and Yoshida Rumi 21-18, 21-18 to lift the Girls U-17 doubles crown.

This is also the second time that Jia Min has won an Asian junior title - she had emerged triumphant in the Girls U-15 singles in 2013.

A relieved Jia Min said she was happy to be able to deliver the goods for Singapore as she had felt some pressure entering the singles tournament as the top seed.

“There was pressure to live up to the seeding but I just made sure I played my best in every match, and improve on each performance, and I left the rest in God’s hands. I thank Him for giving me the strength to pull through each time,” she said.

After resting for about an hour, Jia Min then partnered Crystal to victory in the Girls U-17 Doubles.

The duo had finished third in the U-15 tournament two years ago but this time, they managed to capture the gold after a 35-minute battle with their Japanese opponents.

What made their feat even more commendable was the fact that they had not played together in the lead-up to the Championships.

But Crystal said: “Even though we did not partner together prior to this competition, we used offensive and aggressive tactics against all our opponents.

“I feel very elated and satisfied with my performances, and I will continue to work hard in order to achieve more results in the future.”

Jia Min’s next assignment will be the World Junior Championships, in Lima, Peru, next month (Nov 4-15) and national singles coach Kelvin Ho said his charge’s victory will boost her confidence for the world meet.

“We are very happy with Jia Min’s achievement,” he said.

“This tournament is a stepping stone for her, and a boost to her confidence. Badminton strategy on the courts is constantly changing but Jia Min’s success here was due to her ability to overcome whatever obstacles came her way during her matches. The World Juniors will now provide the real test and gauge of her abilities against the top junior shuttlers from all over the world.”

Jia Min and Crystal’s victories wrap up what has been a good week for Singapore badminton as it was just last Sunday that 19-year-old Liang Xiaoyu finished second in the Thailand Open.

The world No 120 pulled off the biggest scalp of her career when she defeated Thailand’s 2013 world champion Ratchanok Intanon in the semi-finals. She then lost 0-2 to South Korea’s Sung Ji Hyun in the final.